Cho Hee-dae: "This is a major change to the judicial system... We must listen to the people"

According to The Financial News, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Korea Cho Hee-dae voiced concern over the so-called three major judicial reform bills being promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), saying, "These bills must be decided only after sufficient debate."
When asked about the three judicial reform bills as he arrived at the Supreme Court of Korea that morning, Cho said, "These bills would fundamentally change the framework of the judicial system that has been in place for nearly 80 years since the Supreme Court of Korea was established," reiterating his concerns.
He added, "This involves serious matters that could amount to constitutional amendments and could directly harm the public," and went on, "Some cite the example of Germany, but our Constitution is completely different from that of Germany."
His remarks were seen as placing particular emphasis on his concerns over introducing a constitutional complaint against court rulings, which would make court decisions subject to constitutional review.
The three major judicial reform bills call for introducing a trial constitutional appeal system, creating the crime of distorting the law, and implementing a Supreme Court Justice Expansion Plan. The bills have passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and have been sent to a full Senate session. They are expected to be put to a vote and handled at the full Senate session between the 24th of this month and the 3rd of next month.
Earlier, on the 12th, Cho also told reporters on his way into work that the judicial reform bills "could cause enormous harm to the public," stressing the need for broad public discussion.

hwlee@fnnews.com Lee Hwan-joo Reporter